The beautiful game of football has a long and storied history in Scotland, with many teams boasting impressive records. From the big clubs of Glasgow, to the smaller teams across the nation, each team has a unique story to tell. In this article, we will be exploring the records of Scottish football teams, looking back at their successes, defeats and everything in between. From the high-flying Rangers and Celtic to the Highland League's Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Scottish football teams have always been a source of pride for their fans.
We will take a look at some of the most successful teams over the years, their most memorable matches and moments, as well as their biggest rivals. With so much to discover about Scotland's football teams, there is sure to be something for everyone in this exploration of records.
Celtic
is Scotland's most successful football team and one of the most successful teams in Europe. Founded in 1887, they have won the Scottish League title a record 51 times, as well as the Scottish Cup 34 times and the Scottish League Cup 15 times. They have also been successful in European competition, with their 1967 European Cup win being one of their most notable achievements.Notable players to have played for Celtic include Henrik Larsson, Jimmy Johnstone, and Kenny Dalglish. In recent years, Celtic have had a fierce rivalry with Rangers, the other major Scottish club.
Rangers
were founded in 1873 and are one of the oldest clubs in Scotland. They have won the Scottish League title 54 times and the Scottish Cup 33 times. They have also won the League Cup 27 times, making them one of the most successful clubs in Scotland.Notable players to have played for Rangers include Jorg Albertz, Paul Gascoigne, and Ally McCoist. Rangers also have a fierce rivalry with Celtic, with their matches often known as 'Old Firm' derbies.
Heart of Midlothian
, commonly known as Hearts, were founded in 1874 and are based in Edinburgh. They have won the Scottish League title 4 times and the Scottish Cup 8 times. Notable players to have played for Hearts include Rudi Skacel, Craig Levein, and Gary Mackay-Steven.Hearts are currently in a rivalry with fellow Edinburgh club Hibernian.
Hibernian
, commonly known as Hibs, were founded in 1875 and are based in Edinburgh. They have won the Scottish League title 3 times and the Scottish Cup 4 times. Notable players to have played for Hibs include Pat Stanton, Joe Baker, and Franck Sauzee. Hibs are currently in a rivalry with fellow Edinburgh club Heart of Midlothian.Aberdeen
were founded in 1903 and are based in Aberdeen.They have won the Scottish League title 4 times and the Scottish Cup 7 times. Notable players to have played for Aberdeen include Willie Miller, Joe Harper, and Neale Cooper. Aberdeen are currently in a rivalry with fellow Aberdonian club Dundee United.
Dundee United
were founded in 1909 and are based in Dundee. They have won the Scottish League title 1 time and the Scottish Cup 1 time.Notable players to have played for Dundee United include Paul Sturrock, David Narey, and Billy Dodds. Dundee United are currently in a rivalry with fellow Aberdonian club Aberdeen.
Kilmarnock
were founded in 1869 and are based in Kilmarnock. Notable players to have played for Kilmarnock include Bobby Mitchell, Gordon Smith, and Alan Mahood. Kilmarnock are currently in a rivalry with fellow Ayrshire side Ayr United.Ayr United
were founded in 1910 and are based in Ayr.Notable players to have played for Ayr United include Ian McCall, Alan Brazil, and John Greig. Ayr United are currently in a rivalry with fellow Ayrshire side Kilmarnock.
Aberdeen FC
Aberdeen FC is one of Scotland's most successful football teams, having won four Scottish league titles and seven Scottish Cup trophies. They are also the only Scottish team to have won two European trophies, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983 and the European Super Cup in 1983. Notable players to have featured for the club include Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed the team from 1978 to 1986, and Willie Miller, who captained the club to their two European trophies. Aberdeen also have a fierce rivalry with Rangers, which is widely regarded as the most intense in Scottish football.Aberdeen hold several notable records, including the longest unbeaten run in British football (27 games in season 1978–79). They also hold the record for the most consecutive wins in a single season (25 games during season 1978–79), as well as the highest number of goals scored in a season (112 goals during season 1982–83).
Celtic FC
Celtic FC is one of Scotland's most successful and popular football teams, having won numerous titles in both domestic and European competitions. Founded in 1888, the Glasgow-based club has won the Scottish Premiership a record 48 times, as well as lifting the Scottish Cup 36 times and the Scottish League Cup 16 times. On the European stage, Celtic have been crowned champions of Europe twice, in 1967 and 1970, making them the first British team to do so.Celtic are one of the best supported teams in Europe, with an estimated nine million supporters worldwide. They have a fierce rivalry with fellow Scottish side Rangers, with games between the two often referred to as the Old Firm derby. Notable former players include Henrik Larsson, Kenny Dalglish, and Lubo Moravcik. Current players include Odsonne Edouard, Christopher Jullien and Callum McGregor.
Celtic hold a number of records, including becoming the first British club to reach the European Cup final in 1967 and then going on to win it. They also hold the record for most consecutive league titles (9), most consecutive domestic cup wins (6), and most consecutive unbeaten league games (62).
Heart of Midlothian FC
Heart of Midlothian Football Club, commonly known as Hearts, is a professional football club based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 1874, Hearts are one of the oldest football clubs in the world. The club has been a member of the Scottish Professional Football League since its formation in 1998. Hearts have enjoyed considerable success over the years, winning four Scottish League titles and four Scottish Cup titles.They have also had success in European competitions, reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1958 and the UEFA Cup in 1956. Some of the club's most notable players include former Scotland captains Gary Mackay and Gary Locke, as well as Scotland internationals Steven Pressley and Neil McCann. Hearts have had a fierce rivalry with their Glasgow-based opponents Rangers for many years. In more recent times, however, the rivalry has cooled somewhat due to both teams playing in different divisions. Despite this, the two teams still share a strong mutual respect. Hearts hold a number of records, including being the first British team to win a European trophy when they won the 1956 UEFA Cup. They also hold the record for the most consecutive wins in Scottish League matches, achieving 16 wins between December 1903 and February 1904. Scotland is a region with a long and successful history in football, with some of its teams enjoying great success in domestic and European competitions.
Celtic FC are one of the most successful sides in Europe, having won the Scottish Premier League title an impressive 50 times, as well as numerous domestic cup trophies. Aberdeen FC have also enjoyed success, winning 4 league titles and 8 domestic cups. Finally, Heart of Midlothian FC have won the league title 4 times and taken home 8 domestic cup wins. Scotland has a proud footballing tradition and these clubs have been an integral part of it.
